The film is based on a true story about Eugene Brown, played by Cuba Gooding Jr., an ex-felon who after struggling to find work after two decades behind prison walls, lands a gig as a janitor at a high school in Washington D.C., where he starts the still active ‘Big Chair Chess Club,‘ for troubled inner-city kids.

Byrd, who has guest starred in film (Blue Blood), television (Law & Order), and starred in notable commercials for Chase, and Windows 7, guest stars in ‘Life of a King,’ as Clifton, the most troubled of the youth (the bad guy). Clifton’s a petty criminal and drug dealer, who’s the best friend to Tahime, played by Malcolm M. Mays, who’s pretty much the films chess prodigy.

‘Life of a King’ hits theaters January 17, 2014, as well as On-Demand, and iTunes.

Listen to my interview with Carlton Byrd below:

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Who is Carlton Byrd? Find out more below.

Born and raised in Fort Myers, FL, Carlton Byrd was bit by the acting bug in the 5th grade after being cast as a munchkin in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. From there he went on to receive his B.F.A. from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute and Experimental Theater Wing before being awarded with the coveted Ron Howard Foundation Scholarship. Carlton later studied the Meisner Technique at New York’s Maggie Flanigan Studio before moving to Los Angeles last fall.

Carlton has been blessed to make guest appearances on such shows as TNT’s Major Crimes, CBS’ Blue Bloods, and NBC’s Law & Order. His first taste of the festival circuit came with short films that include the stirring and provocative Slow (MVAAFF Winner) and Close (2011 Sundance Official Selection).

In addition to Life of a King, Carlton can also be seen January 20, 2014 on ABC’s Castle and in the upcoming feature film Cardboard Boxer starring Terrence Howard.

Carlton is happy to have worked with the cast and crew of Life of a King in bringing Eugene Brown’s work from the inner city to the big screen. He’d like to thank all of his friends and family for their continued love and support during this on going journey. Let’s continue to run our race and run it well.

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